Sometimes, looking back cuts deeper than expected. Nepal’s narrow loss to Scotland on Sunday is one of those moments—a heartbreak that may haunt them for a while. In a dramatic match in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, Nepal lost to Scotland by just two runs on the final ball of the match.

Chasing an imposing target of 324 at Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee, Nepal played all 50 overs but were bowled out for 321. Yet, batter Bhim Sharki, who top-scored for Nepal with 73, believes there’s still plenty of positives to take away from the game. Nepal’s 321 against the hosts was the Rhinos’ highest-ever total in ODIs.

“To come so close and still lose is heartbreaking, but it sends a strong message for future matches,” said Sharki. “We showed that we can chase big totals away from home. There’s a lot to learn from this loss.”

Sharki’s fighting spirit will be crucial on Tuesday when Nepal face the Netherlands in their final match of the League 2 tour in Scotland.

Nepal had begun the tri-series impressively, beating Scotland by one wicket and the Netherlands by five wickets. Sunday’s narrow loss brought their winning run to a grinding halt.

Nepal will need sharper execution to finish the League 2 series on a high. In both games against Scotland, the bowlers struggled to find rhythm. And after three matches, key batters like Aasif Sheikh and captain Rohit Kumar Paudel are yet to produce big innings.

On the other hand, the Netherlands’ skipper Scott Edwards, who missed his previous game against Scotland due to an injury he sustained against Nepal, is also expected to return on Tuesday. He had scored 46 off 71 against Nepal in the tri-series opener.

Max O’Dowd, who led the Dutch side in Edwards’ absence, admitted that his team failed to adjust to the conditions quickly enough. Against Nepal, the Netherlands were skittled out for just 225 in 49.1 overs. Aarif Sheikh’s composed 78 then led the chase, which Nepal completed in 47.1 overs.

“Nepal came into the tri-series as the bottom team of League 2,” O’Dowd said. “But Nepal are a strong side.”

The Dutch side has also suffered the lack of all-rounder Bas de Leede, who has been busy with club duties in county cricket.

This is the weakest the Netherlands have looked in terms of results since the 2014 World Cup Qualifier. Back then, they had finished seventh and lost their ODI status. Nepal had finished ninth then.

Even so, the Dutch currently sit second in the League 2 standings with 26 points from 22 matches. Nepal are on 10 points from 14 matches. Only the top four teams from the eight-nation League 2 will qualify for the World Cup Global Qualifier.